Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Emma glanced my way as if hoping for an answer, but I didn’t want to give her false hope.
My eyes took in the ivy-covered front of the Van Delden Mansion we’d picked as our wedding venue. It was the best hotel in Minneapolis. Samuel had merely agreed but not really been involved in the decision-making. My heart filled with joy at the sight of the facade made of pink Sioux quartzite. It was a place I expected to find in the French countryside or in England, but not in downtown Minneapolis. I’d fallen in love with the venue the moment Ines had sent me photos of it, and I’d convinced my mother to agree even though the ballroom had a limit of 175 guests.
The driver took my wheelchair out of the trunk, and Samuel helped me sit down. I tilted my head up, taking in the impressive building. The rain had stopped, which was fortunate, considering we wanted to take wedding photos in the garden. Samuel pushed me down the pathway that led to the gardens. Our photographer waited for us beside a gazebo. My mother and Ines joined us soon after.
“You can access the gazebo with your wheelchair,” the photographer said.
Mom stepped forward with a tight smile. “I think Emma should stand for the photos. We want wedding photos without the wheelchair.”
We? We had never discussed that.
Ines glanced from my mother to me and Samuel. I flushed, feeling on the spot.
Samuel moved to my side. “Is that what you want?”
My heart swelled. I ignored Mom’s pinched expression. This was my day. “I would like a mix of both. Me in my wheelchair and me standing beside you.”
“How about we take a few photos in your wheelchair in the gazebo, and then we’ll try a few standing photos on the stairs?” the photographer suggested.
I could tell my mother was offended that we didn’t follow her lead.
We moved into the gazebo, then Samuel and I gazed toward the photographer, hoping for directions.
“How about you kneel in front of Emma and take her hands?” Ines suggested.
Samuel got down on his knees. Luckily, the inside of the gazebo was dry so he wouldn’t ruin his suit. He took my hands. His felt warm while mine were cold and a little stiff.
“Give us some emotions,” the photographer encouraged. “Look deeply into each other’s eyes as if you’re sharing a secret.”
I met Samuel’s gaze, feeling awkward. How were we supposed to convey emotions that weren’t there? I was attracted to Samuel and maybe even had a little crush on him, but I didn’t love him. And he definitely didn’t have any feelings for me. This was an arranged marriage, not blissful love. Samuel’s features softened in a smile, but it was still a very restrained expression, and my own face felt very tense.
“More emotions,” the photographer said as she took several photos.
Samuel glared. “Do your job. This isn’t helping.”
She snapped her lips shut and continued taking photos.
Samuel looked down at my hands, which were still in his. “Your hands are icy. We should hurry to get you inside.” He looked up with concern in his eyes.
“It’s not very cold. It’s summer.” It was a cool day for May, but my cold hands were from nerves, not because I was freezing.
“That’s it!” the photographer said, and the click-click of more photos being taken sounded. “That’s a wrap on this set.”
Samuel raised an eyebrow and pushed to his feet, releasing my hands in the process. My eyes registered Danilo. He stood a few steps to the side, watching us. Sofia wasn’t with him. They had married recently, but it was pretty obvious they’d had a rough start. Seeing them together today, I got the impression that things between them were improving. Danilo didn’t share these things with me, and I wasn’t close enough to Sofia yet to ask her about it. Not to mention that I’d feel awkward doing so as Danilo’s sister.
Danilo gave me a tight smile before his hard gaze settled on Samuel, who returned it with an unimpressed expression.
“The stairs next!” the photographer said, moving ahead.
Samuel pushed me toward the base of the stairs. I arrested the brakes and pushed myself into a standing position. I realized I was still in my heels and couldn’t keep my balance on them. Danilo stepped forward as if to catch me, but Samuel grabbed my arm before he could and steadied me with a hand on my waist.
“I need to get out of my heels,” I explained, embarrassed.
I sank down and quickly slipped off my heels before I stood again. Samuel helped me reach one of the upper stairs and positioned himself beside me. Ines fanned out my wedding dress so it cascaded down the steps. I was a bit nervous standing on the stairs as it allowed less room for stumbling. Samuel gripped my hands. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”